Welding is a very broader topic as compared to multiple people assume. Generally, when we are discussing welding, then for TIG, Stick, and MIG welding methods, we use welding as a blanket term. In the welding process, there are multiple intricacies involved. There are various materials, characteristics, and techniques that explain one thing from another. MIG is the abbreviation of Metal Inert Gas. MIG welding is also known as GMAW. In multiple industrial processes, this welding is efficiently used. In application, this type of welding becomes a little versatile. This welding is not an all-inclusive welding form, it has some advantages as well as disadvantages.
MIG Welding
This welding is the procedure where the electric arc creates among consumable wire electrodes of MIG & the metal that is being worked. MIG welding is unique because of arc & it is mostly referred to as GMAW. A combination of wire electrode of MIG, workpiece metal, and electric arc heats the wire and metal, causing these materials to join. In this welding, there are around four kinds of metal transfer, including:
- Short circulating
- Pulse-spray
- Globular
- Spray
Each kind has unique techniques and characteristics, as well as unique benefits and disadvantages. This process of welding could either be semi-automatic or automatic. The most often used is a direct power source of current or constant voltage. However, the alternating and constant current could be used.
A requirement for MIG Welding
You require to ensure that the individual must have the proper equipment to perform the MIG welding act. The following are the equipment that individual need:
- Welding gun
- Welding Electrode
- Shielding gas
- Wire feed
Welding Gun
The wire feed and welding gun of MIG have several important parts, which are contact tip, gas hose, control switch, electric conduit, liner, and contact tip.
Sr.no |
Parts |
|---|---|
1. |
control switch |
2. |
Wire |
3. |
copper contact tip |
4. |
Electrodes |
5. |
Gas nozzle |
- The control switch is basically pressed to initiate electric power, the flow of shielding gas, and wire feed.
- The combo of the above-mentioned things causes the electric arc basically to struck.
- The contact tip of copper connects to the power source of welding through a power cable, it then transfers the entire electrical energy to the electrode directly.
Power Supply
It is the constant power supply of voltage. Having a steady and continuous setting of voltage when the MIG welding supports the operator for heat input and consistent length of the arc. Very rarely alternating current is used. Basically, direct current employed & the electrode is mostly charged positively. The electrode which is negatively charged can be used but this electrode is less common and not so popular.
Welding Electrode
MIG welder electrode is known as a metallic wire or MIG wire. All wires are not of similar size and alloy. Composition of joint size, different conditions of material surface and, metal with all must contribute to MIG wire alloy and the actual size of MIG wire. Relying on base materials and process variations that are welded at that time, the wire diameter will vary. The most common wire sizes range is about 0.7 mm to 2.4 mm for the MIG welding, but it could be large up to 4mm. Mostly, electrodes that are of small size are linked with different processes such as spray transfer, etc. Generally, the base metal must have the same mechanical characteristics to complete weld metal. To streamline this, the electrodes that are available commercially in various varieties & they include different deoxidizing metals such as titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and silicon in very small percentages. This supports to avoid the porosity of oxygen.
Gas Supply
Gas supply of welding is referred to as shielding gases toward safety MIG welding. Such atmospheric gases are oxygen and nitrogen, causing metal embrittlement, porosity, and fusion defects when these gases interact with metal, welding arc, and electrode. All processes of arc welding need shielding gas for the prevention of these problems from arising. In various fashions, they are mostly employed. Sometimes GMAW utilizes a separate gas, for example, shielding gas for the protection of weld; the reason is that wires do not have flux coating. These shielding gases support to avoid slag in this procedure. The flow rate of shielding gas will rely on current, geometry, speed, gas type, and metal transfer mode. It is essential to note that MIG welding variations need various flow rates of shielding gas to give adequate coverage.
MIG Welding Properties
Specific characteristics are present in MIG welding that explain the process application. These properties are basically defining different MIG welding aspects when these are compared with other welding methods.
The following are the MIG welding characteristics:
MIG welding permits long welds without stopping and starting continuously.
In all 4 variations, a uniform bead of weld is provided by MIG welding.
The individual can generate a weld bead of slag free.
Generally, it is considered as welding introductory form as this kind of welding does not need much modern skills like TIG welding.
MIG welding needs shielding gas
A consumable electrode is used that is basically fed from spool.
It is a very versatile procedure that provides a good skill for operators to combine most types of metal in numerous numbers of positions. The following are the most popular welds:
- Butt Joint
- Edge Joint
- Lap Joint
- T-Joint
This type of welding is basically versatile, still, there are best positions to accomplish the procedure like the flat horizontal. This provides individuals the most hold over the entire procedure & gives the best and effective working environment. For MIG welding, multiple procedures are automated. It can be possible to attain great efficiency within a matter of several weeks for multiple beginners. Still, it takes practice, proper instruction, and practice to be skilled MIG welder and experienced, but there is a burden of attaining a very precise length of the arc is automated, thus operations of coordination are very less intense.
Conclusion
The conclusion drawn from the above discussion is that MIG welding is considered as GMAW processes that basically utilize heat formed from the electric arc of DC among the workpiece and metal electrode that is consumable which melt simultaneously to make a pool of weld that basically fuses to create a join. MIG is the abbreviation of “Metal Inert Gas”.